Challenging Bracks

Production and distribution of yesterday's edition of The Age was severely disrupted by illegal strike action at the Tullamarine printing plant.

Around 150 members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union picketed the plant, preventing any newspapers from being distributed to newsagents until late morning.

The pre-printed parts of Saturday's Age, including the classifieds and A2 sections, had already been delivered. The strike happened in spite of a Supreme Court order to the AMWU to desist from such activity pending a hearing this week before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

What will come as a severe shock to businesses in Victoria is that, despite having the rule of law on its side, The Age was unable to enlist the assistance of Victoria Police, who were either unwilling or unable to enforce law and order.

This raises the question of what role - if any - the State Government played in this appalling lapse of law enforcement.

It was the second example last week of arcane bullying by unions.

In Clayton, 20 factories were without power because of work bans imposed by electricity unions in a dispute over a new enterprise agreement- this despite a continuing dialogue between employers and the union.

The signs are worrying.

Unless the Bracks Government shows a willingness to condemn such actions and sees that the police are properly utilised to uphold the rule of law, corporate Australia may well take a view that Victoria is returning to the industrial dark ages when Trades Hall had a seat at the cabinet table and rogue unionists ruled the workplace.